McKenzie County Breaks Ground On Its New Ag Expo

On Wednesday, Sept. 29 McKenzie County community members gathered at the new fairgrounds construction site to celebrate the new Ag Expo. 

The event featured remarks from building committee members Tim Jorgenson, Howdy Lawlar, and Chris Kubal - all of whom were instrumental in getting this project off the ground. 

The celebration was designed to showcase the 2+ years of hard work by the building committee, design and construction team, the McKenzie County Fair Board, and McKenzie County to move forward in the process of making this building a reality. 

"We were very excited to have the opportunity to talk more about the project and to thank the people who have played a large role in making the project happen," said Emily Huso, ICON Architects Marketing Coordinator.

This new building will be a big improvement from the previous fairground location and buildings. Huso added, "The current fairgrounds is undersized, dated, and does not accommodate the growth of McKenzie County."

The new location will have 212 acres of land and a 112,000 square foot building that will provide more space and accessibility for fairgoers and events. 

It will include an exhibition hall for various recreational and social events such as trade shows and conferences, as well as private events such as weddings or corporate events. The livestock pavilion will hold shows, cattle ties, sheep and hog pens, and up to 200 horse stalls. An outdoor arena will be onsite and available to host rodeo shows as well as expanded equestrian and roping events throughout the year. 

The all-season building will accommodate students and other user groups such as 4-H, FFA, Rodeo Association and their events, shows, educational activities, among other opportunities.

Huso said, "The building will provide the next generation an agriculture-focused space of their own; an investment in the future of agriculture in the McKenzie County region."

The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2023.